The Portland daily press., 1887-02-28


ators to aid them. 1t is their hope that Rid
dleberger. Mitchell Of Oregon, and perhaps
one or two more Republican senators will
then vote with them, and prevent an investi
gallon of Turpie's election. just as was done
in the Payne case. Their reasoning prevail.
ed, and the. note was sent to Senator Sher-
man as stated. There is some chance how
ever, that their plans may be frustrated after
all, as in the opinion of not a few it will be
impossible to pass all the appropriation bills
in the remaining term, and an extra session,
not only Of the Senate, but of the whole
Congress may be required. Others, however
say that these bills can all be passed, and
that there will be no necessity for an extra
session.
Personal.
Joseph F. Snow of Bangor is here.
Work in Congress Outlined.
During the days and nights remaining the
present session of the Senate will attend con-
ference reports and general appropriation
bills whenever any Of them shall make their
appearance, and make every effort to finish
necessary legislation before next Friday
noon. Members Of the appropriations com
mlttee are divided as to their ability and that
Of the Senate 10 creditably accomplish all
expected, but the majority hope, that barring
accidents and wilful. acts of obstruction, it
may be possible to avoid the necessity for a
called session of the 50tli Congress. To this
end the right Of the Senate and of its commit
tees to an opportunity for deliberation upon
important matters not yet brought before it
will be waived, and the Senate as it has done
In previous Instances of backwardness, will
content itself under protest, with such
amendments to House legislation as 1t can
secure in hasty conferences taking much for
granted and trusting much to luck. To
print and thoroughly examine the naval,
legislative, deficiency, and fortifcation ap-
preparation bills in their several ordinary
stages through the Senate up to a point Of
final action would require almost as many
weeks as there remain days of the present
session. The miscellaneous subjects Of legis-
lation which will probably fill up the spare
moments are put down in the caucus pro-
gramme as follows; The labor arbitration
bill. land grant forfeiture bills, the bill relat-
ing to lottery advertisements passing through
the mails, bills to quit land titles, the Des
Molnes land grant bill. the bill authorizing
suits against the United States, bills for the
adjudication Of private land claims in GER
tain States and Territories, the bill for a
monument to eolOred soldiers, the Joseph
Francis resolution, the bill to reimburse Vir-
ginia and other States their expenses in the
war OF 1872, and the international copyright
bill.
Senator Miller win call ,up probably to-
morrow or Tuesday, the House pleuro-pneu-
monia bill. (The pending question being a
motion to reconsider the vote by which the
Edmnnds substitute was adopted.) Senator
ingalls, will try TO call up for action the bill
repealins the limitation to the arrears Of
the pensions act, and Senator Van Wyck
VIII ask the Senate to pass bill relating to
the disposal OF abandoned military reserva-
tons under the homestead laws.
A contest is pending in secret session over
the nomination Of Public Printer Benedict
The British extradition treaty remains
among the unfinished matters on the execu-
i've calendar, but it is not likely to be fur
ther pressed for action this session.
The House proposes to push the appropri-
alton bills to completion by giving the pre-
cedence over all other business, and little
general legislation is expected during the re-
naming days Of the session. The legisla-
tive appropriation bill will again occupy the
attention Of the House tomorrow, and will
be followed by the deficiency bill, which is to
be put through under suspension of the rules.
During the four legislative days remaining
1t will be in order to pass any measure by a
two-thirds vote under suspension Of the
rules; Looking to this last chance
members who. are charged with
the. management of important measures
such as the Pacific railroad inquiry resolu-
tion, the department of the agriculture bill,
the pleuro-pneumonia bill, and educational
bill will make every effort to secure recogni-
tion by the Speaker In order to get vote on
their bills. Very few Of these efforts may
succeed, but in most cases all chance for leg
islation will cut off by the presentation dis
cusslon Of the conference reports and other
privileged matters. 1t Is understood no at
tempt will be made to pass the fertilization
appropriation bill for this year. That for
the last year, which Is now in conference,
being INTENDED to cover the remainder Of
current, together with the snext fiscal year.
A Democratic Minority Report.
The minority report prepared by Senator
George and signed by all the Democratic
Of the Senate committee on judicial
ry upon the Hoar bill, ''to royide inquests
under natural authority" declares it to be
the opinion OF the signers that that measure
Is unwarranted by the constitution, and that
It's passage would be grave and serious us
urpatlon by Congress of the powers reserved
to states. The report discusses at great
length the relations Of the general to State
governments and the rights reserved to each
under the constitution. Congress, it declares,
can pass no law upon the subjects of the per-
sonal conflict between private individuals OF
different races and personal wrongs perpe-
trated by one another. or between persons OF
different political parties, or wrongs done by
one party, man or another, because of opin-
ions which injured the party
may entertain or express. II
is no defence Of the eonstitutionality OF
this bill, say the minority, that it assures no
jurisdiction, no power over persons to pun
ish them, but simply directs the court to
make inquisition concerning crimes commit
ted in the State and whose trial and punish
ment are solely. in her Jurisdiction. The
question for decision is: Has Congress power
to pass the bill? Certainly the power IS not
among those expressly conferred by the Con-
stitution. But the bill, the report says, is not
even entitled to the defence of being entirely
impotent and harmless. Impotent it is for
all purposes OF good and orderly govern
ment, but it has extraordinary vigor for evil.
1t establishes unwarranted federal espionage
over matters confided exclusively to jurisdic-
tion of states. Itencourages irresponsible and
disc0ntented persons.to subject the conduct of
their neighbors to investigation by a tribu-
nal before which these persons thus. SLAM
dered have no opportunity of appearing or
summoning witness. II is true the tribunal
has no power to render judgment against
them which will affect their lives, their lib
erty or property, but it has power in an ex-
parte inquisitoral way of giving official
form and body and substance to accusations
which there has been no opportunity to
meet, to destroy the character, and to black.
en- the names of citizens who are not heard
In their own defence, to stamp as genuine
and true ISLANDERS and libels, to give currency
to blackguardism and perjury. 1t destroys
the whole scheme of the constitution.
Fire at the Capitol.
Fire broke out in the folding room of the
Capitol, in the south wing Of the building
Saturday evening, but was extinguished
with the aid of the local fire department
with but slight damage.
Maine Postmasters.
The Senate has confirmed the following
pOstmasters for Maine: Jessie White al
Wiscasset, James A. Ballinger at Machias
and Frank A. Millett at Mechanic Falls.
FROM BOSTON.
The Yacht Mayfiower.
BosroN, Feb. 26.--General Paine. owner
of the famous yacht Mayti0wer, has placed
her in the hands Of Architect Burgess, hei
designer, and it is the latter's intention tC
send her to England to compete with thG
Arrow for the Queens cup. Mr. Burgess:
has full control Of the vessel and can enter
her i'm whatever races he chooses. The
yacht will probably sail about the first ol
June, and MIR. Burgess will follow by steam
er. No alterations will be made in the May
flower and she will be sent across undel
cruising rig, with smaller mainsail thar
she now carries. Mr.. Burgess has not ye
given formal notice to Mr. Chamberlayne
the owner of the Arrow, of his desire to com
pete for the Queens cup, but will do so in
few days.